Philippe Jabre at The Maronite Foundation in the World - The Maronite Academy Initiative: "Coming Home and Commitment to Lebanon's Future"
On August 14th, 2025, Philippe Jabre delivered a keynote speech at The Maronite Foundation in the World - The Maronite Academy Initiative's 8th annual session during their Summer Program in Lebanon. The session, held in honor of the late H.E Mr Michel Edde, provided a meaningful platform for Philippe Jabre to share his personal vision of returning to one's roots and civic engagement. In a speech filled with emotion and conviction, he traced his exceptional journey and explained the deep motivations that led him to return to Lebanon after more than four decades abroad.
An international journey in service of a vision
During this intervention at The Maronite Foundation in the World - The Maronite Academy Initiative, Philippe Jabre had the opportunity to deliver the following speech
"Good morning to you all
Dear Sirs, Father Moukarzel, members of the board, ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you Hiam for such an elogious introduction. It is an honor to address you today, especially after the extensive meetings you had the last two weeks with ministers, politicians, religious people.
I’m present here today to talk about career and values which I would say define and differentiate each one of us.
Lebanon is a land of emigration and also a land of coming back, blessed, holy, cursed at some times, but this is where our identities are being or have been forged.
My late grandfather Michel Jabre emigrated in the late 1800s to Argentina, Senegal, France and came back to Lebanon after more than 40 years. He did not retire in Lebanon, he invested in industries, beer, textile, insurance were all created under his helm.
Why am I talking about him, because in my personal case I was born in Lebanon and had to leave at age 16 to continue my studies abroad. I lived in Canada, the USA, France, England and Switzerland.
Same as my grandfather I came back three years ago after more than 45 years abroad. I was fortunate to be able to complete higher studies abroad, worked in finance, asset management particularly, and ended up running and operating my own company with hedge funds and other types of investment.
I succeeded in having all what one can dream of: success in my work, established positions, nice properties, but that was not enough — I was always a foreigner in foreign lands.
In the worst of economic and political moments in Lebanon, I was fortunate to reacquire the family business which had been put up for sale by Heineken. Four years ago, lots of people thought I was brave but crazy.
I did not hesitate, I invested, I moved back to Lebanon where my identity, culture and heritage lie!!!
I believe that success in one's life is how one can use his health, skills, means to help improve the less fortunate around us and make a difference in their lives, in particular and in the society as a whole. Just by existing you can touch other people’s lives.
More than 25 years ago, the association I created helped fund thousands of students, high schools and universities, cure hundreds of medical cases, support educational institutions, cultural events through art exhibitions. I strongly recommend you, if you have time, to visit the National Museum, the newly refurbished Pavillion with lots of old travel and fun posters about Lebanon.
The objectives between all these efforts and the Almaza investments were to stabilize the social fabric of society, provide help, hope, job opportunities in extremely difficult moments in Lebanon's political landscape.
Today, all these works and commitments take full sense. We are getting our country back — you all met the best people we could have dreamt of, not long ago, in positions of political responsibilities. President, Prime Minister, ministers, and many others are the best in this transitional period.
I recently met in Europe a Jewish friend talking about Lebanon, Israel and the region. He then told me: 'You in Lebanon have more than 2500 years of history, with Israel we have only 75 years.'
This history has made us what we have today: extraordinary cultural identity, great food (one of the top 5 in the world). You will find kindness, hospitality, warmth everywhere in Lebanon, even in the most remote places irrespective of religion or social backgrounds.
After more than 50 years of upheavals and troubled moments in Lebanon, we have ahead of us a period where we are in control of our destiny. You are all welcome to enjoy and share these years ahead altogether.
P.S.: Thank you Hiam and all the board members for all your efforts to organize this conference and make possible these meetings and exchanges."
